Wrexham's promotion hopes suffered a setback on Saturday when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers at the STōK Cae Ras.
The League Two club, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were expected to defeat their cross-border rivals, but a combination of wasted shots and a goalkeeping heroics from Tranmere's Luke McGee meant the away team were sent away from Wales with the three points.
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Phil Parkinson's side, who were unbeaten in their last four games before Saturday's clash, fell behind early when Luke Norris controlled Regan Hendry's ball before firing past Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Luke Young almost produced an instant response for the home side, but his powerful effort from distance was saved by McGee.
The Tranmere goalkeeper proved vital in keeping his team ahead at the break, deflecting Ryan Barnett's 16th-minute goal and denying Elliot Lee's goal on two separate occasions before the break.
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Lee had another chance to draw Wrexham level in the opening minutes of the second half, but the midfielder inexplicably missed his shot from inside the six-yard box.
Parkinson made a triple substitution in the 65th minute as he attempted to influence events on the pitch and almost equalized when Sam Dalby, who had been introduced in place of Steven Fletcher, headed a Barnett cross just wide of the post.
McGee made another heroic save in the dying minutes to again deny the hapless Lee when the goalkeeper tipped his effort over the bar.
The home team could have had one last chance at goal, but Jordan Davies' shot from outside the penalty area went inches wide of the post.
Wrexham, who remain third in the League Two table and in possession of the final automatic promotion place, have seen their points total (67) equaled by fourth-placed MK Dons, who beat Crewe Alexandra 3-1 on Saturday.
